Rejected and Pregnant Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince novel Chapter 776

Chapter 776: Learned how to hide it

Gabriel held Noah tight against his chest, his eyes narrowed as he tracked the doctor’s every movement. The toddler’s small arm was bare, and the boy looked up at his father with wide, curious eyes, entirely unaware of the impending sting.

"Doctor, you need to be careful with that needle," Gabriel warned.

"Gabriel, Noah has gotten injections before. The doctor is experienced," Amelie hissed, her hand resting on Gabriel’s shoulder as if to physically pull back his hovering intensity.

"I know... but that needle looks far too big for him," Gabriel insisted, his protective Alpha instincts clearly clashing with the reality of a pediatrician’s office.

"Gabriel, seriously? If you can’t handle this, go out and give Noah to me. Other patients are waiting," Amelie scolded him. She then turned and offered a quick, apologetic smile to the doctor, silently pleading with him not to take her husband’s overbearing nature to heart.

Noah let out a series of babbling sounds in his own little language, reaching out his free hand toward his mother as if sensing the tension and deciding her arms were the safer bet.

"Alright! Alright! Just... be gentle," Gabriel conceded, finally shifting to allow the doctor access, though he didn’t look away for even a second as the needle drew closer.

The nurse leaned in close to Amelie, her voice a conspiratorial thread. "It seems the Alpha Prince is getting the injection, not the young prince," she whispered.

"True," Amelie agreed with a suppressed giggle, watching her husband’s face go pale.

The doctor was incredibly efficient, sliding the needle into Noah’s vein with a steady hand. Gabriel instantly squeezed his eyes shut, his entire body tensing as if he were the one being poked, acting more like a nervous child than the dangerous Alpha Prince.

"It’s done, Your Highness," the doctor announced, already pressing a small cotton ball over the site.

"What? Really?" Gabriel’s eyes snapped open, his voice filled with genuine shock. He looked down at his son, who had only given a tiny, curious flinch before returning to his babbling. "Why didn’t Noah cry? I was certain he’d be in pain."

"Because Noah is a strong boy," Amelie replied, reaching over to ruffle her son’s hair. She caught the doctor’s eye and offered a grateful nod.

"Thank you, doctor. And forgive my husband for his tantrums," she muttered.

Gabriel cleared his throat, trying to reclaim his regal composure as he adjusted his hold on the toddler. "I wasn’t throwing tantrums. I was... being vigilant."

The doctor couldn’t help but chuckle as he marked a neat circle on the medical card. "You need to come back in two months for the next dose," he asserted. Gabriel didn’t wait a second longer; he swiftly yet gently guided Noah’s small arm back into the sleeve of his soft baby clothes, acting as if he were shielding him from further battle.

Amelie settled Noah into her arms and led the way out of the cabin, Gabriel following close behind.

"You aren’t coming with me and Noah for the next appointment," Amelie said firmly as they stepped into the hallway.

"Ya!" Noah chirped from her shoulder, sounding suspiciously like he was taking his mother’s side.

"Karmen, that was years ago," Gabriel muttered. "There’s no need to bring up old stories in front of my son."

"Old or not," Amelie teased, "it explains why you were gripping the armrest like your life depended on it."

Karmen’s smile widened into a full laugh, the sound echoing in the quiet car. "Who would ever believe that the Alpha Prince’s biggest fear is a simple, sharp needle?"

"Stay quiet," Gabriel muttered, shooting a sharp glare at the front seat.

Amelie shook her head, her expression softening from teasing to concern. "You really should have told me before we entered that room. Some fears shouldn’t be taken lightly, Gabriel. I wouldn’t have forced you to stay if I’d known."

"I’m not scared of them anymore," Gabriel insisted, trying to regain his composure. "I used to get suppressant shots all the time. I’ve had plenty of practice."

"Gabriel, don’t lie to her," Karmen interjected, glancing back through the rearview mirror. "You always had to distract yourself with something else just to get through it. That fear hasn’t gone anywhere; you just learned how to hide it."

Gabriel shifted in his seat, his jaw tightening. "You’re making me look weak in front of my family," he muttered, his pride clearly wounded.

"You’re not weak," Amelie said gently, reaching over to rest her hand on his arm. "Don’t get so worked up. Everyone has something that gets under their skin."